Declaring Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) qualified for seats set aside for women and minorities.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday severely undermined the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa led a 13-member bench of the top court announcing the decision.
Sunni Ittehad Council
After closing the hearing on a set of appeasures moved by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) against the denial of reserved seats for women and non-Muslims by the Peshawar High Court (PHC).
And the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the court reserved its decision on the matter yesterday.
PTI Lost Its Election Symbol
After their party lost its election symbol, PTI-backed candidates; who had run and won as independents in February 8 elections. Had joined the SIC to create a coalition of convenience.
Declaring the decision of the election regulator void and so against the Pakistan Constitution. The top court on Friday annuled the PHC’s ruling.
“The order of the Election Commission of Pakistan, dated 1st of March 2024
Is declared to be to ultra vires to (beyond the powers of) the Constitution, without lawful authority and of no legal effect,,” says the statement.
The ruling also said, “the lack or denial of an election symbol does not in any manner affect the constitutional and legal rights of a political party.
To participate in an election (whether general or by) and to field candidates.
And the Commission is under a constitutional duty to act, and construe and apply all statutory provisions, accordingly.”
39 PTI Candidates
Furthermore the confirmation of 39 PTI candidates identified as elected members.
Based on Article 51 Provisions in the 2024 General Election.
“In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the General Election of 2024, it is declared that out of the aforesaid 80 returned candidates (now MNAs).
Those (being 39 in all and whose particulars are set out in Annex A to this Order).
In respect of whom the Commission has shown “PTI” in any one of the aforesaid columns in the List.
Were and are the returned candidates whose seats were and have been secured by the PTI,” para 5 above said.
Majority Of 8 Judges
Announced by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the ruling came from a majority of eight judges.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Irfan Saadat, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar rendered the majority ruling.
PTI marks success and demands CEC Raja to immediately resign. Responding to the outcome, PTI members praised the ruling of the top court.
A post on the official X page of the PTI demanded Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja to immediately resign for “violating [the] Constitution of Pakistan”.
Former KP Finance Minister
Former KP finance minister and PTI leader Taimur Khan Jhagra hailed Imran Khan and PTI supporters on the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Though challenging, we are on the right side of history. The struggle will continue, he wrote on X, noting that the ECP’s malafide intent begged “serious questions.”
Former adviser Fawad Chaudhry of Imran Khan reflected the party line and also demanded the resignation of the chief election commissioner on an X platform. After SCP has now official charge-sheeted ECP, the PTI should “demand ECP resignation,” he said.
To read our blog on “PTI begins an online method to find election candidates,” click here
